Another Silly Chain Adjustment Question

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by Gary_P, Aug 28, 2022.

  1. Gary_P

    Gary_P Active Member

    May 19, 2016
    247
    43
    North Yorkshire
    This has driven me crazy for the last hour. I went to adjust the chain on my new to me Scrambler, Loosened the spindle nut, undid the locking nuts, but the adjuster bolts are solid, I am unable to move them in any direction.

    I have been adjusting chains for 40 years and never had an issue, have even adjusted Triumphs that are the same procedure as this.

    am I missing something? They adjuster bolts don't look as if they are dirty or have any crud on them, applied a bit of gt-85 but still solid. The spindle nut is loosened off.

    Aaarrrggghhhh!
     
  2. Gary_P

    Gary_P Active Member

    May 19, 2016
    247
    43
    North Yorkshire
    I asked an expert to take a look and it seems the adjusters were ‘seized’ they are slightly more free now but not what I would call perfect, bike is new to me so hopefully covered by warranty from the dealer is bought it from?
     
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  3. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
    3,277
    800
    Yorkshire
    Not uncommon with this type of chain adjusting setup on any bike if the bolts aren't properly greased. Remove the rear wheel and remove the chain adjusting bolts completely from the swingarm. Coat them in some decent waterproof grease, I use some saltwater marine spec stuff, then screw them all the way in and out a couple of times so the treads are well lubed up. This is one of the first jobs I do on new bikes. Not sure if the warranty would cover this as it's basically poor/lack of maintenance.
     
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  4. Gary_P

    Gary_P Active Member

    May 19, 2016
    247
    43
    North Yorkshire
    Thanks Pegscraper, that makes me feel slightly better and explains the reason they are solid. It will head back to the dealers as I only picked it up from them a few weeks ago when I purchased it, I would expect that I should be able to adjust the chain, it is very low miles so the adjusters have probably never moved since it was new almost 3 years ago.
     
  5. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
    3,277
    800
    Yorkshire
    It must have had very light use if the chain didn't need adjustment in that timescale.:eek: This is another area on a bike where manufacturers seem very economical with the grease on the production line. I would expect the dealer to have at least checked the adjusters did actually work!
    A friend of mine had this problem with a dirt bike he bought second hand a while back. The adjusting bolt on one side was seized so bad it needed heat to free it up. What you DON'T want is the nightmare scenario of the bolt snapping in the swingarm which I've seen done before.
     
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  6. nickjaxe

    nickjaxe Active Member

    Sep 2, 2020
    63
    28
    Cheshire UK
    You did undo the lock nut first on the adjuster bolt didn't you.
     
  7. chuk

    chuk Senior Member
    Subscriber

    Jan 10, 2017
    349
    113
    neilston glasgow
    You can buy a freeze spray for about £6 ish fae screwfix,it got 2bokts fae my crash bobbins off my old hornet when nowt else worked,and 4 old seized wishbone bolts that were rocksolid frozen even massive extension bar wouldn't move them
     
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  8. Gary_P

    Gary_P Active Member

    May 19, 2016
    247
    43
    North Yorkshire
    Yes, these were fine, it is the adjuster bolts that were solid
     
  9. Gary_P

    Gary_P Active Member

    May 19, 2016
    247
    43
    North Yorkshire
    Thanks Chuk, I will give that a try.
     
  10. chuk

    chuk Senior Member
    Subscriber

    Jan 10, 2017
    349
    113
    neilston glasgow
    Great asset to have in garage it's got me out of few tough spots where only other options involved a grinder
     
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  11. Gary_P

    Gary_P Active Member

    May 19, 2016
    247
    43
    North Yorkshire
    As mentioned by Pegscraper, it seems this is a known issue:

    42BEA8F4-8EFD-4563-9D40-BCBC7AEB7992.jpeg
     
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